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Enterprise Software

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

By Erik Eckel October 4, 2006, 7:48 AM PDT

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Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Mac OS X vs. Windows XP boot screens

Mac OS X vs. Windows XP boot screens

View similarities and differences between the Mac OS X and Windows XP Professional interfaces side-by-side.

Credit: Erik Eckel

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

User Accounts

User Accounts

User accounts are created using the Mac’s Accounts app, whereas Windows administrators rely upon User Accounts when creating workgroup accounts.

The Macintosh’s Accounts application is accessed from the System Preferences menu, while Windows users reach User Accounts within the Control Panel.

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Trash vs. Recycle Bin

Trash vs. Recycle Bin

Discarded files live in the Mac’s Trash, while Windows users are familiar with the Recycle Bin.

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Finder vs. Windows Explorer

Finder vs. Windows Explorer

Mac OS X users depend on the Finder (shown on top) to locate files and folders. Windows users, meanwhile, are accustomed to navigating their hard disks using My Computer and Windows Explorer, shown here on the bottom.

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Network utility vs. My Network Places

Network utility vs. My Network Places

The Mac’s Network utility displays network resources and nearby computers similar to the way Windows’ My Network Places (shown on the bottom) does.

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Network Connections

Network Connections

Macintosh OS X’s Network application (displayed on top) enables configuring multiple network connections from the same menu. Windows’ Network Connections menu, meanwhile, displays icons for each of a system’s network interfaces.

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Network Settings

Network Settings

Network settings are configured using the Mac’s Network settings. Using the Show drop-down box, settings can be configured for all of a system’s interfaces. Windows network settings, meanwhile, are configured by right-clicking a network interface and selecting its Properties menu.

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Appearance vs. Display properties

Appearance vs. Display properties

A Macintosh system’s interface is configured using the Appearance applet. Windows, meanwhile, enables configuring a host of display and appearance options using Display Properties (reached by right-clicking the Windows desktop and selecting Properties).

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Sound

Sound

Sound configuration is quite similar, whether one is using a Macintosh system or Windows PC. The Mac’s Sound applet is used to configure specific alert sounds and volume, whereas Windows Sound and Audio Devices Properties (reached from Control Panel) presents a wide range of audio and video options.

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Safari vs. Internet Explorer

Safari vs. Internet Explorer

Safari, shown here on top, is the default Macintosh Internet browser. It’s simple, straightforward interface places a priority on displaying Web content.

The most current iteration of Internet Explorer for Windows XP is the version 7 beta, shown here on the bottom. IE’s latest incarnation also places a premium on minimizing distractions and toolbars in favor of more real estate for Web content.

Mac OS X and Windows XP compared

Terminal vs. Command Prompt

Terminal vs. Command Prompt

The Mac equivalent of Windows Command Prompt is Terminal. Terminal, shown here on top, is accessed from within the Utilities folder.

A Windows command prompt can be called by clicking Start | Selecting Run, typing run and pressing Enter.

Both Terminal and Command Prompt offer access to a wide range of command line tools.

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By Erik Eckel
Erik Eckel is a managing partner at Louisville Geek and president of Eckel Media Corp. He previously served as Executive Editor at CNET Networks' TechRepublic. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Louisville and received
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